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Six world premieres for the inventor of the automobile

What moves us today and tomorrow -Mercedes-Benz at IAA 2011

Frankfurt – How the car is driving into the future following its 125th birthday is demonstrated today by Mercedes-Benz at the 2011 Frankfurt International Motor Show. Under the motto “Mercedes Next”, the inventor of the automobile is presenting no less than six world premieres in Frankfurt. Every single one of them confirms the innovative power of the brand – in particular, the revolutionary F 125! research vehicle, which offers a glimpse of the zero-emission luxury sedan of tomorrow. Also celebrating world premieres, are the new B-Class, the Concept B-Class
E-CELL PLUS – a close-to-production electric concept with very long range – and three roadsters, SLS AMG, SLK 55 AMG and SLK 250 CDI. A further show highlight from Mercedes-Benz is the new M-Class, which is also being seen by the broader public for the first time at the IAA.

“We have a clear leadership assertion in the premium segment. We will do everything we can to ensure that the decade ahead will be a new Mercedes decade,” says Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars at the start of the world’s largest auto show. Just how well the brand with the three-pointed star is equipped for that is impressively demonstrated in Frankfurt by the inventor of the automobile at the end of the 125th anniversary year.

Mercedes-Benz F 125! – a glimpse of the S-Class of tomorrow

With the groundbreaking F 125! research vehicle, Mercedes-Benz is delivering its first sustainable IAA accent in keeping with the final highlight of this automotive anniversary year. Reflecting the birthday motto “125! Years of Innovation”, the technology showcase demonstrates the potential of the fuel cell for complete zero-emissions mobility also in large and comfortable luxury sedans. With the F 125!, Mercedes-Benz is systematically implementing its vision of zero-emissions driving, underscoring the potential of H2 as the fuel of the future. The F 125! is driven by an F-CELL plug-in HYBRID, consisting of a further-developed fuel cell and a high-performance lithium-sulfur high-voltage battery. Energy storage is provided by a completely new kind of hydrogen tank that is integrated directly into the bodyshell structure.

1,000 kilometers range, zero emissions

“When it comes to the drive, there is one figure to note – one thousand. That
is the distance in kilometers that you can drive on electricity alone without stopping to refuel,” says Dr. Dieter Zetsche. “And with four electric motors close to the wheels and a peak output of 313 hp, there’s no shortage of fun.” Thanks to intelligent lightweight design with a high proportion of carbon-fiber, the four-seater offers refined performance coupled with exceptional comfort. The display, control and communication concepts are also completely new developments. Dr. Dieter Zetsche once more, “You could say that the F 125!
is a smartphone you can sit in.”

The new B-Class – a new start in the compact class

Mercedes-Benz is now launching its model offensive in the compact car segment with the new B-Class. “Our second generation of the sports tourer is now more versatile and, at the same time, more dynamic, efficient and safe – the ideal car for everyone in this class of car who would like to drive a true Mercedes. Or, as we say – perfect space in its most beautiful form,” says Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Member of Mercedes-Benz Cars Management
responsible for Sales and Marketing.

“With the first model in our all-new generation of compact cars, we are launching a new era in this segment,” continues Dr. Schmidt. “Never before in the history of Mercedes-Benz have there been so many new features in a model changeover.” The new B-Class sets many new benchmarks, including the four highly efficient engines that will be available at market launch. All boast state-of-the-art direct injection, are equipped with the ECO start/stop function as standard and can be combined with the new 7G-DCT dual-clutch transmission. The new diesel-powered B-Class delivers refined driving fun with fuel consumption that starts at just 4.4 l/100 km.

Premium materials, fine details and precise workmanship also set new benchmarks in the class. “Moreover”, says Dr. Schmidt, “we placed a great
deal of emphasis on safety equipment. COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST is standard equipment, marking a world first in the compact segment.” The radar‑based system offers protection from rear-end collisions at speeds over 30 km/h. There are also a host of safety features that were previously the reserve of larger Mercedes models, including ATTENTION ASSIST drowsiness detection, which is also standard equipment.

Concept B-Class E-CELL PLUS – electric car with 600 kilometer range

That the future is already built into the new B-Class is also clearly evident with the B-Class E-CELL PLUS concept – the first Mercedes electric car with a range extender. “E-CELL stands for battery-electric drive, the PLUS for the additional gasoline engine. The combination ensures the best possible everyday and long-distance capability with a range of up to 600 kilometers, up to 100 of which are under battery power alone and thus emissions free,” says Prof. Dr. Thomas Weber, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, responsible for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development.

The energy storage medium is a lithium-ion battery from Deutsche Accumotive. The powerful electricity storage unit is built safely into a specially developed, space-saving intermediate floor in front of the rear axle – known
as the Energy Space. Prof. Dr. Weber again: “This means that the B-Class is prepared for all kinds of alternative drive – right through to fuel cell electric drive.”

SLS AMG Roadster – open-top driving in its sportiest form

Mercedes-Benz is continuing its sports car tradition with the new, fascinating SLS AMG Roadster, which celebrates its public debut at the IAA and delivers the potential to stay well out in front in the dream car stakes. Prof. Dr. Weber: “This unique open-air athlete offers perfection in roadster performance.”

Also celebrating its world premiere in Frankfurt are the SLK 250 CDI and SLK 55 AMG Roadsters. The 150 kW (204 hp) four-cylinder diesel in the SLK 250 CDI puts the two-seater at the top of its class in the key disciplines
of fuel economy and torque. Available for the very first time in the SLK, the compression-ignition engine delivers refined driving fun on both winding country roads and longer autobahn stretches.

This also applies to the SLK 55 AMG, the most powerful SLK ever. Its all-new AMG 5.5-liter V8 engine with cylinder deactivation combines top performance with the lowest fuel consumption figures. With a peak output of 310 kW (422 hp) and a maximum torque of 540 Newton meters, the SLK 55 AMG betters all of its direct competitors. At the same time, its fuel consumption
is around 30 percent lower than that of its predecessor.

The new M-Class – cultivated efficiency champion

New benchmarks are also set by the third generation of the M-Class – in comfort, as well as in safety, on- and off-road dynamics and, of course, in efficiency. The entire lineup of the new M-class consumes an average of
25 percent less fuel in comparison to the preceding model. The efficiency champion in its class is the ML 250 BlueTec 4MATIC, which makes do
with an NEDC fuel consumption of just 6.0 l/100 km.

SLS AMG E-CELL gets carbon-fibre spine

Affalterbach – The SLS AMG E-CELL body shell being shown by Mercedes-Benz AMG at the IAA 2011 is one trailblazing outcome of its ambitious “AMG Lightweight Performance” design strategy. Its key element is a transmission tunnel made out of lightweight carbon-fibre composite material (CFRP), which is structurally integrated into the aluminium body shell and firmly bonded with it. The high-strength and stiff CFRP component helps to reduce weight, while also serving as a monocoque housing for the battery modules.

The carbon-fibre battery monocoque in the SLS AMG E-CELL forms an integral part of the body shell and acts as the vehicle’s “spine”. The advantages of carbon composite materials were specifically exploited by the AMG engineers in its design. These include their high strength, which makes it possible to create extremely rigid structures in terms of torsion and bending, excellent crash performance and low weight. CFRP components are up to 50 percent lighter than comparable steel ones, yet retain the same level of stability. Compared with aluminium, the weight saving is still around 30 percent,while the material is considerably thinner. The advantages in terms of weight achieved through the carbon-fibre battery monocoque are reflected in the agility of the SLS AMG E-CELL and, in conjunction with the highly innovative wheel-selective four-wheel drive system, ensure true driving enjoyment.

The carbon-fibre battery monocoque is, in addition, conceived as a “zero intrusion cell” in order to meet the very highest expectations in terms of crash safety. It protects the battery modules inside the vehicle from deformation or damage in the event of a crash.

Tobias Moers, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-AMG GmbH, responsible for overall vehicle development: “AMG Lightweight Performance is the term we use at AMG to encompass all the different technologies involved in lightweight construction. The use of carbon makes vehicles not only lighter,but even more efficient and agile – in motorsports and on the streets. This is especially important for sports cars.”

The basis for CFRP construction is provided by fine carbon fibres, ten times thinner than a human hair. A length of this innovative fibre reaching from
here to the moon would weigh a mere 25 grams. Between 1000 and 24,000 of these fibres are used to form individual strands. Machines then weave and sew them into fibre mats several layers thick, which can be moulded into three-dimensional shapes. When injected with liquid synthetic resin, this hardens to give the desired structure its final shape and stability.

Through their experience with the SLR, the vehicles in the AMG Black Series and in motorsport, Mercedes-Benz and AMG have accumulated more than 10 years of expertise in working with carbon-fibre materials. AMG currently makes the propshaft for the SLS AMG, for example, in carbon-fibre. On the SLS Roadster, the supporting structure for the draught-stop is made as standard as a carbon sandwich structure. This component, with extremely short cycle times in an industrially oriented manufacturing process, already demonstrates what will be possible in the future.

CFRP components also play an important role in Mercedes-Benz and AMG’s lightweight design strategy for the future. In conformity with the motto “the right material, in the right place, the proportion of high-strength steels, aluminium and fibre-reinforced plastics is set to increase significantly in the future. The body shell weight of all Mercedes-Benz vehicles should fall by ten percent compared with their predecessors.

Just how seriously Mercedes-Benz and its high-performance arm AMG are treating the issue of lightweight design as an important factor along the road to sustainable mobility, is demonstrated by the full-aluminium body shell of the SLS AMG. With it, the super sports model shows the way for future model ranges.